The Education Department is no longer endorsing its previous advice that sought to prevent guaranty agencies from charging collection costs with defaulted borrowers for certain higher education loans.

The department previously said in July 2015 that federal regulations — according to the Higher Education Act as amended — barred financial agencies from imposing such fees if borrowers who default enter a repayment agreement within 60 days of notice and honor it.

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That fee has been listed as up to 16 percent of the amount borrowed, including interest, on loans connected with the Federal Family Education Loan Program, a program that ended in 2010 and was replaced by the Federal Direct Student Loan program.

The reversal does not affect borrowers whose loans are held by the Education Department. The department said in its letter Thursday, signed by acting assistant secretary Lynn Mahaffie, that it wants public comment on the matter.